L.A. Times - Fashion & Style

The versatile man

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Strip away the flights of fantasy, and this light, laid-back aesthetic moves easily from cubicle to cafe.

The Spring/Summer 2010 men's runways in Milan and Paris had no shortage of fantasy. From the seafaring dangerous dandies of Vivienne Westwood to Galliano's Napoleon meets Lawrence of Arabia desert dwellers, they told the tale of escape and exploration through bold prints, bright pops of blue and kilometers of embroidery.

Club Monaco necklaces add flair to classic wardrobe

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The new line of jewelry is inspired by artist and sculptor Alexander Calder.

A reliable way to add a little dazzle to classics -- a white shirt, little black dress, T-shirt and blazer -- is to punch them up with conversation-piece jewelry. This month, Club Monaco offers some affordable contenders: six eye-catching necklaces inspired by artist Alexander Calder.

Jackson's singular style rings through memorial service

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

His brothers pay tribute by each wearing a single glove, while fans pile on accessories of the singer's most distinctive looks.

Some came dressed in black for mourning, but large swaths of the crowd at Staples Center for the Michael Jackson memorial Tuesday honored the singer as they always had -- with T-shirts that bore his image and sartorial tributes to his famous style.

Slip into Nine West's comfort zone

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Nine West, the company that can turn on a dime to mint hot heels and strappy sandals, is getting back to basics this fall, eschewing the trendy for classic Americana.

Four short rules for shorts

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Is it just me, or is the shorts situation getting out of hand? Shorts of all styles are a Southern California staple, and they're not usually a challenging look to pull off. But lately, they've inexplicably become the incredible shrinking bottoms, and upper thighs all over Los Angeles are having a cringe-worthy moment in the sun.

Derma rolling: hope for smoother skin?

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The technique, which can be done at home, involves rolling many tiny needles over the skin, making tiny pricks that may stimulate collagen production to smooth out the skin.

When Angelina Jolie attended the Cannes Film Festival this year, she caused a stir -- and not just on the red carpet. Beauty boards buzzed about her radiant skin, speculating on the recent transformation. Was it plastic surgery? A chemical peel?

Ralph Lauren polo shirts look good, do good

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Sales of the limited-edition shirts in bright summer shades will benefit breast cancer organizations.

Summer Fridays are a Manhattan tradition, allowing office workers to close up shop early and head out to weekend shares in the Hamptons, Shelter Island or upstate New York. That's the breezy, "school's out" feel that the new limited-edition Ralph Lauren polo tries to conjure in a look-good/do-good line to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

Project Runway Season 5 winner Leanne Marshall's debut collection hits bluefly.com on July 8

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:51:34 -0700

Michael Jackson: End of a signature era

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The essence of a pop star once was defined by caricature that relied on costume. And we loved it.

We all wore them -- the black loafers, white ankle socks, rhinestone brooches, cropped military jackets and fedoras. Michael Jackson's sartorial signatures filled our closets in the 1980s. And his passing marks the end of an era when a pop singer's individual style could leave an imprint on the critical mass of a generation.

Michael Jackson: king of style

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The military details, red leather and black loafers made the pop singer an '80s fashion icon.

Wearing one glove, Michael Jackson reached into the pop culture zeitgeist and influenced an entire generation, giving pieces as simple as military badges and a fedora an imprint that, for a time, was as powerful as his music.